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Scottland for a day!

I am taking a trip to Ireland in May and I am considering hopping a flight to Scottland for a day or two, Edinburgh to be precise. However other than the castle and use plain wandering around I have no idea what do to or can be done in a short amount of time. Any suggestions on things to do in the city? Any "don't miss this"? Thanks so much!

Right neat the Castle is The Scotch Whisky Experience - one of a zillion themed 'experiences' in the U K and like many kind of tacky - BUT it's right by the castle and is fun if kind of kitschy and you will learn the ins and outs of whisky making traditions in Scotland.

You ride around in a whisky barrel!

I love their explanation about why after ageing for several years there is a wee bit of the eau de vie, as the French call, it missing - the guide saif "It's the angels portion."

And another kind of kitschy experience right there too is the famous Camera Obscura - well read the site and see if it's for you - but the Camera Obscura has been a hot attractionhere since the 1830s - you do get rave views of Edinburgh down below from the top of the thing (as you do from the north side of the castle too).

Janisj thanks for the link, this site is new fore so I appreciate it. I figures I'd fly in early morning stay a night then do as much as I can the next day and catch a flight wither evening or possibly early next day. So I'll have a bit of time but not a ton, I'm pretty open to try just about anything its more ofnknowjng whats available to do.
PalenQ HAHA that whiskey experience sounds amazing it's going on my list for sure! I am a whiskey drinker so I'll enjoy that but riding th barrel sounds liklike too much fun to pass up! Thank you so much for the suggestions!

And you do or did at least get a wee nip of whisky at the tour's conclusion! Cheers!

There are also overnight trains called Caledonian Sleepers than run most nights between London-Euston and Edinburgh - http://www.scotrail.co.uk/sleeper - some really cheap fares if you book far enough in advance. Save on the cost of a night in a hotel.

You could spend a week in Edinburgh and never step foot in the Whisky Experience. PQ does recommend it when folks ask about Edinburgh, but w/ so little time it should probably be waaaaaaay down your list

Just the Old Town has more than enough to fill your 1.5 days. Castle, St Giles Cathedral, Holyrood Palace, Museum of Scotland, Gladstone's Land, the Authors museum, Grassmarket, and much more (see, no time left to ride in a whisky barrel )

But the New Town is also full of things. The "Old" is at the top of the ridge, and the "New" is down hill from there. They are both in the very center of Edinburgh.

I visited all those things janis recommends and I still recommend going to those two places if you want to do something FUN, the word which to some means worthless from a high-brow cultural point of view. They don't take long, are right at the castle - have fun - enjoy and yes cathies I was paraphrasing and should have said about the 'angles share' - thanks for reminding me.

Fun and culture how about a wee bit of both - well a lot of culture I guess is what janis would only recommend. Lighten up janis dear!

The Camera Oscura is fascinating. I wouldn't call it kitschy. The actual camera oscura is on the top floor of a tall, narrow building; it projects a view of the city, using the camera oscura (or pinhole camera) technique, onto a white disk. The experience is enhanced by the clever patter of the guide. The other floors of the museum have other exhibits with an optical theme. It was actually quite fun, but some of the exhibits were bringing on a migraine, so I passed on many of them.

Culture can't be fun? Boy am I missing out Really it's up to you, but I do like janisj's list. Done them all and some more than a few times. For both fun and culture have a look at the Scottish Parliament building which Russ mentioned.

Russ, of course there is a downhill in Edinburgh that's why you climb up to the castle so you can walk downhill to Holyrood Palace.

PQ: I have great fun in Edinburgh (it would be hard not to) and have likely been there 20 times more often than you. And yes, I've EVEN been to the whisky experience . . . More than once. But the OP has AT MOST 1.5 days so I stand by what I recommended. I don't think I need to lighten up.

And Big Russ is right, except for downhill on the Royal Mile, it DOES seem EVERYTHING is up hill . . .

It is up to us to mention as many possibilities to the OP so they can choose - not to have you or others tell them what to do and what not to do with their limited time.

You would never ever mention the Whisky Experience so folks would never know even if they wanted to see it. Be less prescription IMO and give as many possibilities - even ones that are anathema to you and let them chose.

Who knows perhaps seeing the Queen Mary 2 or whatever big ship is docked in the Leith area may be of major interest to them or may not.

And yes, I've EVEN been to the whisky experience . . . More than once.>

Question is why did you go back - given your approbation for the place? You said:

<You could spend a week in Edinburgh and never step foot in the Whisky Experience.>

With the hour or so it takes for the Whisky Experience what would you have to sacrifice in that week's time? One hour plus culturally whisky is at the heart of Scottish life - yes the eua de vie - water of life itself!

>>Question is why did you go back - given your approbation for the place? <<

I don't dislike the place at all -- but in total I've spent probably 6+ weeks in Edinburgh over the years (and a couple of months in nearby areas) so yes, I've had time to go there more than once.

>>With the hour or so it takes for the Whisky Experience what would you have to sacrifice in that week's time?<<

The point is the OP doesn't have a week or even close to a week. She has 1 or 1.5 days . . . IF the OP did have a week -- then sure, definitely pop in. But IMO/IME the Whisky Experience is probably down at about # 15 or 20 on the list of "must see's".

It seems to be rather inviting to the OP however after I mentioned it - please don't apply your 15-20 list of must sees to everyone - folks are all different - personally the Whisky Tour was one of the nicest things I've done in Edinburgh - more fun for me at least than some of those 15-20 must see's of yours and could be for others as well - try not to be so judgmental and didactic and dictate what the "15-20 must seens are" - I would put the Whisky Experience in my top 15-20 sights for sure and others may too.

Veteran travelers are often IMO jaded and forget what it is like to be a first-time traveler to a city and what may excite them more than some of the 15-20 'must sees' on your list. Give all possibilities - even things that are a waste of time to you - and let the OP decide - not dictate what they must see.

bvienci - yes the Camera Obscura itself is not kitschy but a historical object of great significance - yet some of the stuff they have put up - for families - kind of a light show - seems rather kitschy (if the whisky barrel ride is) - but yes I should have qualified that - the camera itself is fascinating - given its history. Kind of one of the first "Experiences" of many many Experiences in the U.K.

Wow lol I really appreciate everyone's suggestions! Wish I could check the site more often!

Whiskey vs Whisky - guess my American is showing thanks For the heads up

Must do the castle and the whisky tour is a must. I like that thry are so close to each other too! will make use of less time on traveling back and forth from one thing to another. And the walks! I always forget about those but definitely gonna look into it.

Idk if I mentioned I was traveling alone...I'm one to not risk my safety anyways but if there are any tips I should know about?
Also for hotels or b&bs...is it better to pay the price to stay city center so I'm closer to all the things to do? Or are there any places you have stayed in that you thought were good?
Thanks so much again everyone!

In my opinion, if you can stay near the royal mile that would be your best bet with so little time there. You can do a lot just on or near the royal mile. I really like Camera Obscura and Edinburgh Castle is a must. The Whisky Experience, I could take or leave it but since you like Whisky go for it. If you can, take a walk in Princes Street Gardens. Heck, if Mary King's Close is something you would like, do that too. The cheesiest thing might be the best thing you do. I speak on behalf of my brother who had less than 24 hours there on his first trip and this is what we did.

If you do Mary King's Close, go early to reserve a time. It will help you plan your day as the tours fill up fast. I have also eaten at the Whisky Experience for lunch. The first time I had a really good sandwich, the second time the food wasn't that great. No matter what you will have a great time.

at the top of my 4-5 "musts' for Edinburgh for the casual tourist only there a few days would be a stroll around the "New Town", a UNESCO World Heritage site for its town planning and superlative collection of Georgian era houses, including the famous Georgian House itself - this area is if I recall right just north of Princess Strret - spend an hour or so there just strolling around - one of the nicest areas of any major European city IMO.